Air circulator



Sept. 1, 1953 J. H. WOODWARD AIR CIRCULATOR Filed May 18, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J- H. WOODWARD Sept. 1, 1953 AIR CIRCULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1950 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES SPATEN OFF I CE 2,650,755 AIR 'CIROULA-TOR Joseph .H. Woodward, Miami, Fla. Application May 18, 1950; SerialNo; 162;690 7 Claims. (Cl. 230.259

Myinvention relates to improvements in methods d circulating rotor ofthe character described shell that conceals the motor from view, adding to the appearance, and renders the operation the features of strength and stability.

avoid overheating.

Anotherobiectof my invention is to provide Another object of my invention-is to provide an air circulating. unit of the characterdescribed' tionnand performance.

Another-object ofimy invention is to provide an air circulatine unit: of the character described also contributes to Another object-of; my invention is to'provide an air circulating unitof;thecharacterdescribed adaptable to economical mass production methods throughrthe use oftplasticmolding: processes in manufacture.

bodiment of-materia-l.

Another object of-my invention is the provision Another object ,of'my invention is to provide a compact by reason of the motion by the propeller typeof fans.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent froma studyofthe specifications read inrconnection with-the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure :-1 is -a topplangview of ana-ir circulating detail sectional view on line 3--3 Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings I have illustrated the air circulating rotor l of my invention as comprising an outer housing or shell 2 provided with annular air intake openings 3 and embodying a reinforcing collar 4. An inner housing or shell 5 embodies a hub 6. Main radial air impelling blades 1 are interposed between outer shell 2 and inner shell 5. Auxiliary radial air impelling blades 8 are illustrated as attached to inner shell 5. Hub 6 is used for attachment of air circulating rotor I to motor shaft 9.

Rotation of this air circulating rotor l is accompanied by the following results:

Air within the confines of the recesses of the air circulating rotor I is set in circular motion by the main radial air impelling blades I and also by the auxiliary radial air impelling blades 8. Centrifugal force acting in conjunction with the semispherical contour of outer shell 2 and inner shell 5 causes the air thus set in motion to seek release from the confines of the rotor I throughout 360 degrees on the extreme peripheries of outer shell 2 and inner shell 5.

Annular air intake openings 3 provide for the continuous replacement of air thus exhausted from the confines between outer shell 2 and inner shell 5. (Path and direction of air travel indicated by arrows.)

The motor base I4 is provided with slotted openings IS, a circular opening l5, and air passages provided in the spaces between the four motor mounts II and the clearance between the outside diameter of the motor l0 and the inside diameter of the collar l2, to provide for the continuous replacement of air exhausted by the auxiliary blades 8 from the confines of inner shell 5. (Path and direction of air travel indicated by arrows.)

It will be noted from the preceding that there are two distinct air circulating systems embodied in this air circulating rotor I. I. e.: A main system actuated by the main radial air impelling blades 1 which is utilized for extending the movement of air to surrounding space, and an auxiliary system of air circulation utilized principally to circulate air to prevent overheating of driving unit or motor [0.

The foregoing detailed descriptions embrace several distinct and valuable improvements in methods and means, further advantages are outlined as follows:

Annular air intake openings 3 are a preferred form of this invention, in place of a large single opening. They provide (a) a guard against physical injury and (b) tend to reduce noise of operation. Explanation: A single air intake opening of equal area exposes a continuous length of the edges of main air impellers I to the incoming air stream. This results in considerably more air turbulence and operational noise than is the case and a hub.

when the incoming air is admitted through the spaced annular openings as illustrated.

Another distinct, valuable and original improvernent in methods and means is embodied in the construction of the rotor I. It will be noted that the relative contours of shell 2 and shell 5 are such as to narrow down the air passage as the exhaust air approaches the outlet indicated at ll. This slightly choking effect is of advantage in reducing operational noise, by retarding the flow of exhaust air at the point of discharge, a slight back pressure is created which forms an air cushion, so to speak at points of intake, and reduces air turbulence.

This slightly choking effect is also of advantage in tending to retard the flow of exhaust air to the effect that the air is retained between the confines of shell 2 and outer shell 5 until the air has accumulated more centrifugal kinetic energy, resulting in greater air velocity upon release, which in turn results in an extension of the radius of effective air movement in the surrounding space.

Another valuable result of this method and means of air circulation is in the air pattern that is established after operation for a period of time. Example: More or less centrally located in an enclosed space, room or compartment, this device gradually establishes a cycloid air pattern throughout the area.

Another original and valuable contribution to methods and means of air circulation embraced in this invention is embraced in the air impelling blades 1 being provided with radial edges Fig. 3 further minimize operational noise due to air turbulence at intake openings.

Another original and valuable contribution to method and means of circulating air embraced in this invention is a preferred positioning of radial edges of main air impelling blades 1 as illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, wherein the radial edge of the blades I is illustrated as prothe intake openings 3 This preferred construction 15 utilized mainly to adapt the construction to molding processes, but also adds to stability of outer shell 2 as a Earlier models of this air circulating rotor consisted of but one shell, the air impelling blades, Considerable air turbulence, hence operational noise, was developed along the inner edges of the blades, regardless of many contours that were experimented with.

Other original and valuable improvements in method and means of air circulation embraced in of this air circulating rotor l is inner shell 5. This form of air turbulence and noise. It It adds the construction the provision of an construction lessens further increases mechanical stability.

5 to the appearance by concealin the motor from view.

Another original and valuable improvement in method and means embodied in this invention is the provision of the collar 4 as a reinforcement at the axis of outer shell 2.

Another original and valuable improvement in method and means embodied in this invention is the provision of a hub 6 embodied in the axis of the inner shell 5 and extending as illustrated through the orifice of the collar 4 embodied in outer shell 2. This form of construction was particularly designed to adapt the rotor to the processes of plastic molding, and achieve a maximum of strengt (Conceivably any thickness of material could be molded on the axis of either shell. Practically it is advantageous to gain any thickness of material desired for strength at this point by embodiment If the desired wall thickness on the axis in each respective shell.)

device practicable, is embraced Another original and valuable feature of this invention is the provision of base collar 12 which adds stability to motor base 94; dampens transtiveness of from View.

Another the intake Any desired fixed pathe relative area emdamper may be provided for over the intake openings. patent application No. 123,222 series of 1948 claim N0. 4.)

I claim:

shells in spaced relation with charged by sa' enclosing said compact.

2. A centrifugal arr circulating unit as defined in claim 1 Wh joined to the inner 

